As the November 6 election nears, WBAL-TV 11's Commitment 2012 -- television, on WBALTV.com and on mobile -- delivers the Live. Local. Latebreaking. news from the candidates and the issues that matter most to you.

The event was held practically in the back yard of U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-District 2, but the support of the standing-room-only crowd was split equally between him and his challenger, state Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-District 34.

The five-term congressional incumbent launched his political career in Baltimore County as a councilman and, later, county executive. Jacobs wants to end his political dominance in the Second District.

"They've seen more of me in 10 months than they've seen of him in 10 years, and that's saying a lot because this district is over two-and-a-half-to-one Democrat. So, I think we may have some surprises on Election Day. I certainly hope so," Jacobs said.

Jacobs emerged as a state GOP leader in her 14 years in the state Senate. She takes a conservative stand on issues like gay marriage and in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants -- both issues of which are on the Maryland ballot this year as referendum Questions 6 and 4, respectively.

"What part of illegal don't people understand? It is no fault of those children that they are here, but their parents had every opportunity to pursue citizenship," Jacobs said.

"What that amnesty, or whatever you want to call it, gives them the ability to education themselves. I want them to get educated and be made legal because we need their tax money to help with the deficit and our country. That's who we are as Americans," Ruppersberger said.

Ruppersberger pointed to his long deliberation about gay marriage as evidence that he doesn't toe the party line.

"I prayed about it. I did whatever I thought I needed to do, and in the end, I decided -- a very tough decision for me -- to come out in favor of it because I worried about discrimination," Ruppersberger said.

Monday night's debate was sponsored by a community association, and it did not include the Green or Libertarian candidates for Congress.